Official Luthiers Forum!

Has anyone used the Hauser plans and eliminated the bridge strap beneath the bridge....thus extending fan center braces all the way? I've built 2 with the strap and am curious about whether the strap is really necessary. I never use or recommend HT strings and don't see the strap as a structural issue with a solid slightly arched classical bridge. I also, in the past, created my strap slightly arched to coincide with the bridge arch so possible flat-to-arched counter stresses didn't occur with the top and bridge. I would think that elimination of the strap would allow the arched bridge to form the top and fan design to the bridge naturally. I also see the break of center fans as possibly detrimental to tone possibilities and fine tuning.
I suppose the critical issue is how to caul the under top for gluing the bridge as not to damage the top and its delicate fan bracing. I suppose constructed arched glue block with hole channels for fan braces would be a good idea....prior to gluing top on so placement and block fit was perfect.

Kent

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Totally boils down to whether you want to make a Hauser copy or not. I doubt it makes any difference in sound or response. If it does, it would be subtle.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Per David Schramm's tip, I cut/chisled out the part of the bridge patch where the braces crossed it. Then you can glue the braces without notching them, and you still have the Hauser bridge patch. It is easier to do then it sounds.
Mike

I'm lucky in that I only have the outer 2 fan braces glued in....so I have full length inner fan braces (without a patch installed) to glue in if I feel inclined. I'm just concerned about the alteration to the hauser plans and whether the bridge will be stable...or whether I need also MAY need to raise the height of the center 4 bars to aid in stability in replacement for no bridge patch.

Kent

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Wood Creations by Kent A. Bailey
EXCELLENCE IN SCULPTURE, CARVING, LUTHIER, ARCHITECTURAL MILLWORK AND DESIGN

http://www.kabart.com

If it can make you feel better, none of my classicals have bridge patches on them.

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

Mine either. Romanillos does not normally use them either.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Mine neither (and my lovely Ramirez 125 does not have a bridge patch....)

Another non bridge plate user
Vacuum clamping the bridge avoids the need for a caul

When I made my Hauser '37 replica I made the bridge patch, for my own guitars before and since I use no bridge patch at all. I like the simplicity of no patch and the continuity of the braces. As you said above, a carefully fitted and shaped bridge caul and arched bridge are, I think, the way to go.

David, when say an arched bridge is that with a flat top which is my understanding of what Hauser did, or are you saying to match the bridge to ta top radius?
I'm asking because I'm curious about Hauser's flat top and arched bridge concept.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

As Waddy mentioned, it has everything to do with how close to the Hauser original you want to go. That being said, There is a lot of subtlety that is going on in making a Hauser guitar work like a Hauser guitar, far more than just following a plan.

From my understanding of the Hauser approach, the top was braced flat and the underside of the bridge was shaped to the arch so that it pulled the top up into the arch, thus imparting some degree of tension into the top. This as opposed to the solara determining the arch and the fans pressed and glued in to hold it, then the bridge is shaped to the arch to lock it in.

For me, I've been pursuing the Torres traditions recently and there is no bridge patch. Other subtleties for sure, but no bridge patch.

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Expectation is the source of all misery; comparison the thief of joy.
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Romanillos used a Bridge patch, then abandoned the idea. There did exist a theory that it evened out the string to string response. Perhaps Luthiers using their intuition again. . . or just being very optimistic over their powers of control. Take your pick.
One thing that I do know. There's a very hard and heavy patch on the opposite side of the soundboard.

i need more of those!

my first guitar had a bridge patch, now i´m doing another without one - it sure is easier to shape the fans without the bridge patch - it began as an "experiment", but now i don´t care much for it. other aspects of building seem more relevant.

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